DeWayne Key

DeWayne Walter Key, age 76, of Moulton, Alabama, departed from this life on March 18, 2025, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He was born on June 7, 1948, to Hadley and Ruth (Stewart) Key, who preceded him in death, as did two brothers, Jackie and Dwight. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna (Taylor) Key; son Barclay, his wife Sonya, and their children Langston and Zora; son Logan, his wife Leslie, and their children Mabrey and Annie; sisters Brenda Montgomery, Sandra Betterton and husband Andy, Carolyn Turner and husband Anthony, and Marilyn Campbell and husband Gary; and many nephews and nieces. DeWayne was an active member of the Moulton Church of Christ, and he served at various times as a deacon, elder, song leader, and Sunday school teacher.

DeWayne was raised in the Sinking Creek community. He was a 1965 graduate of Lawrence County (AL) High School, and he earned three degrees in education from the University of North Alabama, where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 1994. DeWayne was a passionate science teacher who began his career at Russellville High School and taught science and coached volleyball at Hatton High School until he was elected superintendent of Lawrence County schools in 1984 and again in 1988. During his time as superintendent, DeWayne taught AP Chemistry at Lawrence County High School to any students in the county who wished to attend. He will also be remembered for organizing the Alabama Coalition for Equity, a group of rural public school systems that teamed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in legal action against the state of Alabama over inequities in funding for public education. After retiring from public schools, he taught science at Mars Hill Bible School. His favorite film was Stand and Deliver.

DeWayne was an avid distance runner who helped popularize the sport in Lawrence County, where he served for many years as the race director of the Jesse Owens Memorial Run and helped organize numerous cross country meets, including the AHSAA state championships in Oakville. He also enjoyed spending time with family, board and card games, hiking, canoeing, music, travel, Atlanta Braves baseball, an occasional round of golf, and playing the nine-hole carpet golf course that he designed at his home. DeWayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend whose enthusiasm for learning and zeal for life continues in our hearts.

Visitation will be Friday, March 21, 3-7 p.m., at the Moulton Church of Christ, 597 Main Street. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the Moulton Church of Christ with Barclay, Logan, Stanley Johnson, and Brad McNutt officiating. Burial will follow at Moulton Memory Gardens with Lawrence Funeral Home directing. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the DeWayne Key Memorial Scholarship, payable to the University of North Alabama Foundation, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL, 35632, or online at https://www.una.edu/advancement/. The family also wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the excellent nurses and staff with Hospice of the Valley and NHC HealthCare in Moulton.